There are topics aplenty on this week's episode after an eventful slate of games. Centennial and Canyon Springs, most notably, presented arguments for being included with the best teams in town. Are Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer buying the Bulldogs and Pioneers? Listen in on the debate, a discussion on touchdown celebrations and a breakdown of this week's games.

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Chaparral High scored all five of its touchdowns on the ground at Western High and bumped its record to 2-1, equaling its combined victories over the last three years with a 34-6 win.

Senior running back Antonio Thomas led the way with 200 yards and two touchdowns, but he didn’t have to carry the load all game. Senior Tyquan Anderson also had two scores and 130 yards while senior quarterback Jason Johnson chipped in 70 yards and a touchdown.

“We’re not a one-horse team,” Chaparral coach William Froman said.

Western caught Chaparral napping to start the second half with an onside kick, which led to its only score of the game.

“They had us on our heels for a minute,” Froman said. “We needed some stops and we can occasionally get them now. We couldn’t last year.”

Froman said he started five sophomores and a freshman on defense, which is a dangerous proposition for long-term results this year, but it sets up nicely for the future.

A fresh coat of paint and a fresh perspective are among the changes being made around Western High School.

Western is one of five turnaround schools that missed the marks set by No Child Left Behind and now faces the challenge of increasing student achievement.

The school is the third oldest in the district and its campus lies near Decatur Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway. The majority of students attending Western are minorities from disadvantaged homes. Western is known for having a rough past, but students are optimistic about the future of their school.

“When I was in eighth grade, I was told I was going to get shot or stabbed when I came to Western,” said senior Kole Yanez, 17. “That might have been true 15 years ago, but now, you don’t see that here.”

Rules are tightly enforced on campus. The school keeps a strict dress code policy and cell phone use during class time is not permitted.

Halls are designated by grade level giving students a sense of ownership and community. Pride is clearly visible at pep rallies and sporting events. The newfound pride might just be he medicine needed to alleviate the 8 percent dropout rate, the highest in the district.

“It’s like building a house. You need a strong foundation,” said Neddy Alvarez, principal. “You need those strong relationships. When kids know we care about them, the learning will take place.”

Year built:

1960

Mascot:

Warriors

Principal (Year Hired):

Neddy Alvarez (2008)

Mission Statement:

“The mission of Western High School is to promote scholarship, encourage good citizenship, and embrace our cultural diversity.”

“Right now, 50 percent of the kids in this school don’t graduate high school. Is that acceptable to you? Think about that. Right now, some of the friends that you’re with aren’t going to graduate. Is that OK? That’s unacceptable to me. I think you guys ought to kick all of us out.”